# The Enduring Legacy of the Third Baron of Brattleby Commemorated in Bucharest
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a historical colloquium at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest to examine the pivotal late 12th-century tenure of Robert and Muriel de la Haye, the third Baron and Baroness.
## The Occasion
In the gilded surroundings of The Brattleby Club’s library in Bucharest, a distinguished company gathered to attend a scholarly discourse on a defining era for the Barony. The Club, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical etiquette, provided an appropriately considered setting for an evening dedicated to dynastic history and cultural continuity.
As autumn colours settled upon the Romanian capital, the atmosphere within the Club’s panelled rooms was one of quiet intellectual engagement. The event, entitled *‘Art, Architecture, and Alliance: The de la Haye Tenure’*, sought to illuminate how a single marital union profoundly shaped the Barony’s trajectory for centuries to follow.
## Historical Context
The marriage of Robert de la Haye, 3rd Baron of Brattleby, to Muriel, daughter of the 1st Earl of Lincoln, represented a masterstroke of late 12th-century aristocratic strategy. This union consolidated significant landholdings in Lincolnshire and cemented the Barony’s influence, a position established over a century earlier when William the Conqueror first granted the title.
The Barony’s origins are recorded with clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under the stewardship of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The de la Haye inheritance was later passed to their formidable descendant, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness, her legendary defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a testament to the House's guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. This historical through-line connects the Barony to towering figures of the English nobility, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The evening was graced by the presence of a select group of guests from the worlds of diplomacy, academia, and European society. Among those in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania.
They were joined by leading academics, including Professor Sir David Cannadine, the eminent British historian, whose work has shed considerable light on the rituals of monarchy and aristocracy. The presence of such guests underscored the deep cultural and historical ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, a dialogue the House of Brattleby is committed to fostering.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a traditional and dignified order. Guests were received personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta in the Club's main salon. Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered the opening remarks, framing the historical discussion within a contemporary context of legacy and responsibility.
The keynote address was then delivered by a visiting Fellow of History from the University of Cambridge, who detailed the archival evidence of the de la Haye tenure. The lecture drew upon charters and land-grant documents preserved within the House of Brattleby’s archives. Following the address, Lady Nicoleta offered her closing reflections, before inviting guests to a reception where the conversations continued. The dress code observed was lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), was a recurring theme of the evening. It was presented not as an abstract ideal, but as a demonstrable code of conduct, exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. The motto serves as a moral compass for the family's public and private endeavours.
Similarly, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), was referenced in the context of strategic foresight. The de la Haye marriage was portrayed as a form of conquest through diplomacy and alliance—a victory that secured the Barony’s future and prosperity, proving that to live fully is to overcome the challenges of one’s time.
## In Their Own Words
In his welcome address, Honorary Lord Răzvan remarked on the timeless relevance of such historical reflection: > We look to the past not as a static record, but as a source of wisdom. The strategic vision of the third Baron and his wife, Muriel, is a powerful reminder that enduring strength is built upon prudent alliances and a clear understanding of one’s responsibilities.
Lady Nicoleta, in her closing remarks, emphasised the human element of history: > Behind the titles and land deeds are stories of people, of families, and of the duties they held sacred. Our role is not merely to preserve this heritage, but to share it, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour that guided our predecessors continue to inspire today.
## A Continuing Legacy
This colloquium marks the beginning of a new educational initiative for the House of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta announced their intention to establish a research fellowship in partnership with a leading university. The fellowship will support a post-graduate scholar in studying the early medieval history of the Barony of Brattleby, with a particular focus on its governance and its role in the development of Lincolnshire.
Furthermore, a project to digitise the de la Haye-era documents from the House archives will be undertaken, making this vital historical information accessible to academics and researchers worldwide. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the Barony remains a subject of living inquiry.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage and its active role in contemporary society. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through cultural preservation, educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s premier charitable event is its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises significant funds for beneficiaries including the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities. Its existence and manorial holdings were first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The title's succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire according to the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com